Description

Formula 1 Grand Prix (known as World Circuit in the US) is the first installment of Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix series. The game includes all 16 international GP circuits of 1991. Players may drive them in quick race mode, single race or a full championship. The 18 teams and 35 drivers and their performance are based on the 1991 season, but the game doesn't include real names. It is possible to edit and save team and driver names by hand.

The extensive tuning feature influences the performance of the car. In-race setup allows players to adjust gear ratios, brake balance, wing downforce and tires during each visit to the pit box. Six optional driving aids help F1 rookies finish their race: players can toggle best line and suggested gear displays to learn track tactics, or have auto brakes, auto gears, self-righting spins and indestructibility to improve their driving. A replay system allows players to watch race scenes from three different views, including track-side camera footage.

The game features 3D graphics and various details and effects such as working rear mirrors, collisions with flying debris, crude damage models (wings are visibly bent after crashes), and wet weather that influences traction, including a fog effect that obscures vision when driving in another car's splash water.

While the Amiga version allows multiplayer races in hotseat mode, the PC version originally had solo races only. In 1993, the v1.05 update added modem support and a few other improvements.

Forums

Trivia

Intro

The introduction movie is based on that of Japan's Fuji Television F1 title sequence. The music is based on the guitar solo in Fleetwood Mac's The Chain. This was used by the BBC for the British Formula One TV coverage introduction in the years they have held the rights, 1978-1996 and again from 2009.

Names

The game features the real car colors and performances of the 1991 Formula 1 season, but not the real names, although the technical support sheet included these (for the UK Amiga release at least). The British drivers are generally replaced with members of the Microprose staff, including Rob Davies and Mark Scott replacing Nigel Mansell and Martin Brundle respectively. Some of the names are very corny, such as Helmut Becker (a sort of half-pun that didn't work), and Mario Innocenti and Luigi Rivellini as the first two Italians.

Awards

Amiga Joker

Issue 02/1993 – #2 Best Sports Game of 1992 (Readers' Vote)

Computer Gaming World

October 1993 (Issue #111) – Best Simulation Game of the Year (together with Star Wars: X-Wing)

November 1996 (15th anniversary issue) - #66 in the “150 Best Games of All Time” list

Related Web Sites

Amiga F1 (Comprehensive Amiga site made by Oliver Roberts, a noted expert on the game and one-time Amiga Format writer. Features his editor package as well as lots more software, a FAQ page, troubleshooting guide and Hall of Fame statistics of the best drivers.)

F1GP.com.br (A Formula One Grand Prix Fan page with tools, editors and addons for F1GP. New downloads (like the latest carsets) are still being added.)